[Stargazer_2098]

Dr. Martin "Doc/Martins" Schweiger has been bussy on working on the next release of the prized Orbiter simulator.

Orbiter is in short a extremely accurate and incredibly realistic nevtonian physics and space-flight simulator.
With it, you can travel to any of the planets of the Sol system; from Sol itself to Pluto and the Kupier-field at the outher limits.

Orbiter is the most accurate Nevtonian-physics simulator to date, and by such it is far more advanced and much harder to handle then an ordinary space-flight sim.
Basic knowledge of celestial and gravetational dynamics are required by the player to get the most out of it.

The best with Orbiter is: its totally free and open for any modifications; from constructing simple space-ships to creating your own solar-system!

The next release of Orbiter; version 020420 will have many new features, including:

* Runway takeoff
* Improved flight-model
* Thrust-vectoring (to compensate the loss of an engine)
* Scenario support for engine and unboard computer malfunctions (making the simulator even more unforgiving and realistic)
* Improved panel instruments and modeling
* A new Vehicle Assembly Building
* Vessel to vessel docking and "piggyback" manouvers.

For some screenshots and more info, visit the official Orbiter homepage at www.orbitersim.com


This thread will monitor the development of the next orbiter release; from now to the simulator is ready for download.


Stargazer.

[RandomTiger]

Originally posted by Stargazer_2098

The best with Orbiter is: its totally free and open for any modifications; from constructing simple space-ships to creating your own solar-system!

Does that include code modifications?
IS the project open source?
Would it consider sharing code?

[Stargazer_2098]

Orbiter is not currently open source, but it has a lot of SDK features, so you can say it is very near to an open source program.

Orbiter also accepts most graphical formats, I recomend you read the manual for more info, since I am a pilot; not a coder. :wink:


Stargazer.

[Nico]

mmh, all that souds great, but, for something like that, I have one single, but vital (somehow ) question? how is the UI? the thing is most likely super complex, so if I can't handle it without an engineering degree, it's no call.

[Stargazer_2098]

Originally posted by venom2506
mmh, all that souds great, but, for something like that, I have one single, but vital (somehow ) question? how is the UI? the thing is most likely super complex, so if I can't handle it without an engineering degree, it's no call.

Once again, I can only say: visit the mainpage and the forums. There are lots of developers out there that has built several addons, and creating a scenario is very easy and simpel (even I can handle it), I'm not sure about creating spaceships tough.

I really dont know so much about programming at all, as I said: I'm a pilot: not a programmer...


Stargazer.

[Nico]

Originally posted by Stargazer_2098

 I'm a pilot: not a programmer...
 

that's my point exactly, by UI, I mean ingame UI. I've seen realistic flight sims ( the space shuttle one for exemple ), only nasa people can "play" that.
something along the lines of the old space simulator from microsoft could be quite good ( tho it lacked any kind of feeling feedback, you seemed to just move the screen, not fly a huge ship )
anyway, I just took a look at the site, the thing seems really beautiful

[Stargazer_2098]

Orbiter is quite easy to fly, once you get the grip of it.
Tough the learning kurve is quite steep; after a few weeks, you should be able to dock with the ISS or at least go to the moon.
Orbiter is actually much better then the Microsoft space-flight simulator, but also a little more difficult.
A very challenging program to say the least, but the excellent graphics and the feeling of accomplishment you get after docking with the ISS or making a succsesfull transfer to Mars makes it all worth it.
And with this comming version of 0204020, Orbiter should get more easy to control.

Everyone that is interested in space and has a little nevtonian knowledge should be able to fly most crafts in Orbiter. I have even met 10-14 year olds in the forums that can handle it: so if they can; anyone can.


Stargazer.

[Shrike]

Can you mod it?  Put in hostile spacecraft, beam and kinetic kill weapons, etc etc?

[Stargazer_2098]

Originally posted by Shrike
Can you mod it?  Put in hostile spacecraft, beam and kinetic kill weapons, etc etc?

I am going to put this simple: No.

Orbiter is a realistic space-flight simulator; no beam wepons, no hostile aliens, no weapons, no such things.

However; orbiter is very open to mods, and many hundred crafts has been created already by developers and modders from all over the world.
The Orbiter forum has about 500 members, maybe more. From all ages and with different interests.
Among these, there are several developers.


Stargazer.

[Shrike]

Originally posted by Stargazer_2098
I am going to put this simple: No.

Aw, bummer.

[Stargazer_2098]

But then again; Orbiter still hasnt reached version 1.0 yet (02419 is the current version), who knows what can be added in the future..?

And also it is theoreticly possible today to put in laser-beams, aliens and full-out space wars, but to do such: you will need to be one heck of a good programmer, coder and modeller...
No-one has attempted to do such yet; since most belive it would destroy the spirit and atmosphere of Orbiter.


Stargazer.

[Nico]

Originally posted by Stargazer_2098
since most belive it would destroy the spirit and atmosphere of Orbiter.

come on, it's a prog, not a way of living

[CP5670]

same thing

[Kamikaze]

I thought your way of life was math?

[RandomTiger]

Freespace 2 is the daddy of space sim dog fighting and general madness.

I would say that most of us arent happy in a space sim unless we are zooming about about, followed by 10 missles, a wing of alien fighters, and flying into the flak of a massive warship that is busy cutting your mothership into bits with its beam weapons while your teammates are exploding all around you.

Orbiter probably requires a bit more patience and thought I imagine.

Personally I would be interested if I could see the source code.

[CP5670]

I thought your way of life was math?

sure, but for some others it is games.

[Shrike]

Originally posted by Stargazer_2098
No-one has attempted to do such yet; since most belive it would destroy the spirit and atmosphere of Orbiter.

Just in case you were wondering, I was joking.  

[Nico]

Originally posted by CP5670


sure, but for some others it is games.

and for others torture

[Stargazer_2098]

Originally posted by Shrike
Just in case you were wondering, I was joking.  

I know; but I'm serious.


Stargazer.